Travel Air 2000
- Period: Interwar (1919-1938)
- Uses: General Aviation
- First Flight: March 1925 (model 1000)
- Display Status: On the Museum Floor.
The first production Travel Air B established such a good reputation in the First National (Ford) Air Tour in 1925 that the company sold nineteen the same year. In 1928 the model B was designated the Model 2000. Orders increased until 1930, when Model 2000 production ceased, with 1 550 built.
In Canada the Travel Air was used for training and some charter work. One was used as a corporate aircraft by the Walter M. Lowney Co. Because of their classic design, many Model 2000s have been restored and are still flying.
It is not surprising that the Travel Air was a good airplane considering that Walter Beech, Clyde Cessna, and Lloyd Stearman were all involved in its design and production. Because of a superficial resemblance to Fokker D.VIIs, Travel Airs frequently represented Fokkers in the First World War flying films of the 1920s and 1930s, earning them the nickname “Wichita Fokker”.
Museum Example
- Registration #: CF-AFG
- Manufacturer: Travel Air Manufacturing Company, United States
- Manufacture Date: 1929
- Construction #: 720
- Aquisition Date: 1968
- Provenance: Purchase
The Museum aircraft was built in 1929 and was one of two brought that year to Kingston, Ontario. It passed through several hands until stored in 1941. The airplane was purchased by the Museum in 1968 in unrestored condition.
Specifications
- Wing Span:
- 10.6 m (34 ft 8 in)
- Length:
- 7.4 m (24 ft 2 in)
- Height:
- 2.7 m (8 ft 11 in)
- Weight, Empty:
- 605 kg (1,335 lb)
- Weight, Gross:
- 989 kg (2,180 lb)
- Cruising Speed:
- 137 km/h (85 mph)
- Max Speed:
- 160 km/h (100 mph)
- Rate of Climb:
- 158 m (520 ft) /min
- Service Ceiling:
- 3,050 m (10,000 ft)
- Range:
- 805 km (500 mi)
- Power Plant:
- one Curtiss OXX-6, 100 hp, Vee engine
